[He catches the eye of someone nondescript, except for his eyes, and the stranger flashes him a cheeky little wink and Gepard's eyes widen ever so slightly, and if circumstances were different he'd politely excuse himself from the woman (what was her name again?) but if he moved too quickly he might tip off to people that a stranger, interloper, thief, complication was here, and he doesn't want Sampo to be driven off.
But then-
Music starts. It's a nice waltz! Gepard contemplates the merits of throwing Sampo out of his father's house, but he's got a woman in front of her and he knows what he's supposed to do.
So he charmingly smiles at her in the same way all retail employees smile at their customers, extends a hand, and asks-]
May I have this dance?
[She, of course, is delighted to have this dance, and off they go, waltzing. Gepard can feel the approving eyes of his mother, probably, glad that one of her children is finally showing signs of giving her grandchildren. His father is pleased, probably. Assuming he's paying attention.
He hopes Sampo is amused, but Gepard has no time to look for him, he has to look like he's reasonably, politely enjoying this dance and he does his best, because he is a man of duty. It's pleasant. He enjoys dancing, generally speaking; it's something that relates to music, but it's physical. Tactile. The woman enjoys it, maybe? At least it hadn't been a bad dance.
The music ends. He thanks her, and then makes his excuses- okay, no, she asked him out (in a polite, high society sort of way, but still) before he could ditch.]
My apologies, miss, but I'll be back on the frontlines by then.
[Help.
...but it's fine, one thing leads to another, and he ends up dancing with another woman (if he doesn't, he might return to discover that he's expected to go on dates with Woman #1) while making more polite small talk, gently fantasizing about running out into the snow and back into the arms of the military. It's very charming. People think him and Woman #2 are a handsome couple.
It's fine. It's just another extension of duty.
One more dance and then he'll just leave, feign having to pee (or something) and gather himself in a quiet corner, and until then he just will dance and long for the cold and the snow. At least that's simple.]
no subject
But then-
Music starts. It's a nice waltz! Gepard contemplates the merits of throwing Sampo out of his father's house, but he's got a woman in front of her and he knows what he's supposed to do.
So he charmingly smiles at her in the same way all retail employees smile at their customers, extends a hand, and asks-]
May I have this dance?
[She, of course, is delighted to have this dance, and off they go, waltzing. Gepard can feel the approving eyes of his mother, probably, glad that one of her children is finally showing signs of giving her grandchildren. His father is pleased, probably. Assuming he's paying attention.
He hopes Sampo is amused, but Gepard has no time to look for him, he has to look like he's reasonably, politely enjoying this dance and he does his best, because he is a man of duty. It's pleasant. He enjoys dancing, generally speaking; it's something that relates to music, but it's physical. Tactile. The woman enjoys it, maybe? At least it hadn't been a bad dance.
The music ends. He thanks her, and then makes his excuses- okay, no, she asked him out (in a polite, high society sort of way, but still) before he could ditch.]
My apologies, miss, but I'll be back on the frontlines by then.
[Help.
...but it's fine, one thing leads to another, and he ends up dancing with another woman (if he doesn't, he might return to discover that he's expected to go on dates with Woman #1) while making more polite small talk, gently fantasizing about running out into the snow and back into the arms of the military. It's very charming. People think him and Woman #2 are a handsome couple.
It's fine. It's just another extension of duty.
One more dance and then he'll just leave, feign having to pee (or something) and gather himself in a quiet corner, and until then he just will dance and long for the cold and the snow. At least that's simple.]